Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, opened this month’s town hall meeting by thanking UNMC faculty, students and staff for their hard work and commitment to UNMC’s mission of leading the world. He was joined online by Jane Meza, PhD, interim executive director for health security for UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and more than 230 faculty, staff and students.
Tuesday’s discussion focused on COVID-19 updates and referenced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision last week to authorize a second booster (fourth dose) of mRNA vaccines (Prizer or Moderna) for people 50 years and older.
During the forum, Dr. Gold said he anticipates getting his fourth dose within the next month or so, hopefully prior to commencement and other spring activities.
Dr. Gold also encouraged eligible individuals — those at high risk and/or who had a booster dose more than four months previously — to talk with their local health care professional about getting a second booster and, if so, when. This is particularly important, he said, as new vaccines may receive FDA EUA certification.
Per UNMC policy, COVID-19 vaccines are required for faculty, staff and students. Although boosters are not required, faculty, staff and students are expected to receive a booster when eligible, because they have been shown to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death.
Campus officials continue to monitor the spread of BA.2, a subvariant of omicron, that is sweeping across Europe and Asia and has become the more dominant strain in the U.S.
Read this UNMC Today article on the COVID-19 vaccine booster update, as well as Nebraska Medicine’s Q&A on COVID-19 vaccine boosters and how to schedule a fourth dose with Nebraska Medicine.
View the CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 vaccine boosters.
Dr. Meza outlined UNMC’s current COVID-19 safety guidance regarding masking, gatherings and visitors, which was updated March 21 as a result of lower case counts across Nebraska communities. Testing remains available on campus, she said, and unvaccinated employees and students with exemptions must continue to test weekly.
Dr. Gold also highlighted the "spectacular" economic impact of UNMC, its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, and affiliates. According to a 2021 Tripp Umbach study, the med center boasts a $6.4 billion annual impact on the state of Nebraska, more than a 30% increase over the past three years.
In other news, Dr. Gold:
- Acknowledged the "bittersweet" moment as the campus community gathered April 4 in-person and online to say farewell to the former home of the Munroe-Meyer Institute. The buildings will be razed later this spring, freeing up more than seven acres of land on the corner of Saddle Creek Road and Farnam Streets.
- Congratulated UNMC’s medical students for their residency match and graduate students as they celebrate Graduate-Professional Students Appreciation Week, and he recognized, as part of National Public Health Week, the critical role public health officials have played throughout the pandemic.
- Noted recent campus interviews for the five finalists for the vice chancellor for business, finance and business development position. "On paper, five out of five could clearly do the job," Dr. Gold said, so campus leaders next will do their "due diligence," review campus feedback and further vet the candidates through reference checks.
- Highlighted federal and state government relations work, including the latest on the legislative session. See Wednesday’s UNMC Today story for the latest.
- Mentioned that UNMC’s updated three-year strategic plan will go into effect in July. It will include an enhanced focus on rural health workforce and education; continued diversity, equity and inclusion work; efforts to enhance and sustain preceptor relationships; and a look at health literacy issues and gaps. A new version of UNePlan also will be rolled out in July, Dr. Gold said, offering a "much better user experience."
Access a recording of the April 5 campus forum on the UNMC intranet.